Weekly E-News
Monday, September 25, 2017
The Briggs Center invites you to join their group of dedicated volunteers that meet in the Westmoreland kitchen every month to prepare sandwiches for Martha’s Table, an organization that, among other things, provides healthy meals to children in our community. Sandwiches are made on the last Tuesday of every month at 10:00 am, except when that month has five Saturdays (which happens four times each year). In that case, sandwiches are made on the fifth Saturday of the month at 10:00 am. This month, sandwiches will be made at 10:00 am this Saturday, September 30 in the Social Hall. Get involved in this important work of the Briggs Center and make a difference in our community! 
Worship Next Sunday, October 1:
Tim will continue his Sermon Series on "Pigs, People, and Possibilities" with "Insiders and Outsiders" on World Communion Sunday.

This Sermon Series, which Tim will lead through October, will focus each week on a different aspect of the same Scripture passage - the story of Jesus restoring a possessed man in Mark 5:1-20.
Worship Last Sunday, September 24:
Tim continued his Sermon Series entitled "Pigs, People, and Possibilities" with "Exorcisms."

Enter Westmoreland's Photo Competition on Facebook!

As you can see by the original poster, this past weekend back in 1990, the people of Westmoreland gathered together at a potluck supper to hear the results of the Summer Vacation Photograph Competition, for which people were asked to submit their "choicest vacation photographs, to be judged by a panel of arts cognoscenti."

So, modern Westmorelanders, get involved on our Facebook page to enter the 2017 version of this competition!  Go to our Facebook page  to add YOUR best photo from this summer! Prizes will be awarded next Thursday, September 28!

ESL Celebration - Sunday, October 1

Each week our friends at the Briggs Center host English as a Second Language (ESL) classes in our church building. This Sunday, October 1, on World Communion Sunday, we will honor and welcome ESL students at a special coffee hour. We are grateful for the work of the Briggs Center and the many connections we share. This ESL Celebration gives us a chance to celebrate the ties we share with people around the world.

After the ESL Celebration Coffee Hour, please join the Westmoreland Refugee Support Group in the parlor for a screening of the video "To Breathe Free," by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. The video profiles the experience of our colleagues from the Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church and the refugee family they have supported. The leader of the CCPC support group, Merritt Groeschel, who has been the guide for our Westmoreland efforts, will introduce the video and answer questions.
Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, October 8 at 4:00 pm

Save the date for our Blessing of the Animals! Plan to bring your gerbil, your goldfish, your dogs, your cats, your pet llama, or your pony to this time of blessing and celebrating all God’s creation!
 

WCUCC Potluck Dinner for Families with Younger Kids
Hosted by JoJo, Yonce, & Cole Shelton
Saturday, October 14 at 5:00 pm

Join Yonce, JoJo, and Cole at their home (5017 Brookdale Road in Bethesda) for a potluck dinner - all are welcome! There will be a mix of people from Westmoreland UCC and other friends and neighbors with younger kids. We'll have some drinks (for both kids and adults), plates, utensils, cups, kitchen supplies, and an oven and stove fired up to reheat your dish. 

Please invite friends and neighbors to join you!
Choir for a Day - Sunday, October 15
Join the choir on the Chancel at 9:00 am on Sunday, October 15 for easy-to-learn works that we'll sing in worship that morning. Singers of all skill levels are welcome!
Join the Team for the Walk & 5K to End HIV - Saturday, October 28
LJ Ingram, Chair of the Potomac Association LGBTQ Task Force, is inviting everyone to join our sister UCC churches on the Association team at the 31 st annual Walk & 5K to End HIV. This walk and run will benefit the HIV programs and services of Whitman-Walker Health. HIV remains an epidemic in DC and Whitman-Walker Health focuses on services and education designed to prevent transmission of the virus and provide care to those who are infected. The Walk & 5K to End HIV is a vital part of ensuring we have the resources to continue our support of at-risk and HIV-positive populations.

  • To join our team and participate with us on October 28, please begin here. 
  • To sponsor our team, you may donate directly (with credit to our team) here.
  • To buy a t-shirt to help our cause (a percentage of the proceeds are credited to our team), click here. Order prior to October 3 to have the shirt in time for the event!
  • For further Information on UCC Potomac Association's participation, go to the Fundraising Page.

We’ll see you on October 28!
The church's Office Hours are:
Mondays & Tuesdays, 10 am - 5 pm
Wednesdays, 12 - 3
Thursdays & Fridays 10 - 5 
Leaders and Helpers Needed to Teach Church School
Every week, we need one leader and one helper to teach Church School for the preschool class, the K - 2nd grade class, and the 3rd - 5th grade class. Click on the link below for more information or to sign up!
Ushers Needed
The Usher Service (US) here at Westmoreland is looking for folks who are willing to usher a few Sundays a year. We’ll train you! If interested, email Greg Perla, the Usher Coordinator, at [email protected]. Please join US!
Donate Flowers for Worship
Flowers add beauty and meaning to our Sunday worship service. Individuals or families may sign up for a date to donate with a dedication in the worship bulletin. Please contact the Flower Chairman, Judy Fogt by phone (301-229-1183) or email ([email protected]) and she will give you the details. And THANK YOU!
Sign Up to Host Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour is a time to welcome guests and to strengthen relationships within our church community. This ministry is vital to the life, spirit, and growth of our church. Beverages (coffee, tea, water, juice/lemonade) and tableware are provided by Westmoreland. Food is a welcome addition and is provided by Coffee Hour Host(s). Please sign up to host coffee hour (once per year is recommended) with your family or pair-up with another member of the church.
Giving to Westmoreland
Look for information in the mail and via email about ways that you can support Westmoreland and our work in the world.
  
2017 Annual Giving
Gifts to support the ongoing life of our church -- music and worship, spiritual formation programs, fellowship events, staff salaries, and building maintenance. 

Capital Campaign
Gifts to our four-year campaign to build a new entrance, add a new elevator, add a gender neutral restroom, and an updated kitchen. 
 
Children's Collection
Items collect by our children in worship each Sunday to give to local helping groups.
 
Special Offerings
The five UCC offerings (plus our own outreach offering) that go across the country and around the world to meet needs.